Lionel Messi ends Argentina career with emotional farewell against Benin

Lionel Messi had announced at the end of the summer that he would retire from international football at 39, according to Franceinfo. The match against Benin became his final appearance for Argentina.

It closed a 21-year international career. The Guardian reported that Argentina fans in Buenos Aires gave him an emotional farewell on Tuesday.

On October 6, Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in Buenos Aires, with Messi scoring in his last international appearance, The Guardian reported. Arab News also credited him with two assists in its account of the tear-filled farewell.

The send-off took place before 85,000 people at Estadio Monumental, according to GB News. The outlet reported that fans displayed numerous banners claiming ownership of the Falkland Islands, bringing a political message into the occasion.

Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni called it an "emotional day", according to Al Jazeera, whose coverage described his farewell to an "irreplaceable" Messi.

The occasion also drew attention in Benin. L'Équipe reported on supporters in Cotonou acclaiming Messi's final appearance, with their country serving as his last international opponent.

Messi's international career is now over. Reports published on October 7 by the BBC, The Guardian and Franceinfo described the Benin match as his final Argentina appearance. The retirement covered here is from international football, not an announcement that he is leaving all football.

The following day's reaction extended beyond the stadium. nu.nl reported extensive tributes in Argentine and Spanish media, while the banners reported by GB News added a separate political element to the farewell.